Rwanda: The Genocide Post You Dont Want To Read, But Need To

Warning: this post is graphic. But please don't stop reading. When most people heard we were going to Rwanda, they responded with 'Wasn't there a bloody civil war in Rwanda a while back?' No. There wasn't a civil war. It was genocide.

Genocide isn't mutual. It's a pre-planned orchestrated movement to remove a whole people group from existence or a place. And that's what happened in April of 1994 in Rwanda. 1 million Tutsi people were hunted down and murdered, most often with machete. Men, women and children. No mercy. I'm sharing this part of our learning and experience not to alarm you or make you cringe, but for two reasons:

1. So we are all more aware of the past and are more active in responding if, God-forbid, genocide happens again in this world.

2. You are reminded how God can, and is, winning over evil. 

Let me take you back to the day our team went to the Nyamata Memorial- specifically to a church that was used by Tutsis seeking refuge in 1994. Ben, our friend and a survivor, explained that 5,000 fled to the church for safety. But the pastor reported it to the Hutu militia, who came and killed every soul.

The grenade markings are still on the ground by the front doors. The tin roof is still riddled with bullet holes- allowing thin beams of sun into the brick church sanctuary. The linen laying over the alter is still stained with blood. Thousands of pieces of clothes and blankets are piled on church pews in memory of the victims. Piles upon piles of bloody torn clothing.

Even 19 years later. A narrow staircase in the back leads down into a small grave created under the church. One glass shelf is of human bones while underneath, below our feet in a glass grave, we see a single tomb: unseen in the tomb is a woman who was speared through her pregnant belly and left for dead outside the church. She memorializes all women, who were the most brutalized and tortured victims of the genocide.

We walk outside behind the church and again make our way down narrow staircases into tiny short dark corridors. 45,000 victims are in these graves.

We wept. Many of us thought, 'God, how could you let this happen? Couldn't you spare more people? Stop the hatred from spreading? Help more Tutsis find refuge?' No answers came. We just wept.

I understand if some people don't want to hear the details. Its so intense. So awful. But we share in the insensible grief because we care for them. Our tears express our sadness. Our empathy. Ben said our very presence at these places in Rwanda felt validating- that other nations, who seemingly abandoned them, are grieving with them. Even today.

Rwanda's wounds are still fresh. I couldn't help but look at every face, every stranger we passed on the streets of Kigali, and wonder what those eyes had seen. Those ears heard. And if their hidden scars still bled pain and despair. But hear this:God is moving. Undeniably.

People who lost all their family, including Ben who lost 150 family members, are finding healing through their faith in God. There is reconciliation happening between those who lost families and those who killed their families. People are finding hope and new purpose. Sharing their stories. Showing their scars. Imploring their neighbors to find God, forgiveness and peace again.

It's insane. Illogical. Impossible. But it's happening. It's God's work.

This is the true bloody history, recent history, of the Rwandan people. But it's not the end of their story. With heavy hearts, tears blurring our vision, and while standing above the mass graves, in Nyamata, our guide Ben shared these words (paraphrased): People ask if its hard for me to come here. They ask,'Ben, why do you do this?' But I found my peace long ago. This is not hard for me. I'm reminded of Ezekiel 37 when God says he will make the bones come back to life again in heaven. So I have hope.

Take that in. Amazing. We will have times in our lives where we struggle to forgive. We are paralyzed with pain. We wonder where God is in it all. But remember Ben. Remember Rwanda. The scope of God's grace extends beyond our understanding. His healing is deeper than we can hope for. 

He reconciles, redeems, and restores.

It may be a process, but nonetheless, trust and know that God's capable of 'bestowing a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.' (Isaiah 61)